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MEDICINE AND MUNICIPALISM IN THE METROPOLIS.
THE INDIAN PASTEUR INSTITUTE. and in its stead they wipe all surfaces, in instances several times daily, with damp cloths. By this means the dust raised by dry dusting is largely reduced, and hence also is lessened the risk of inhaling air-borne tubercle bacilli. Moreover, the Israelites use but little furniture as contrasted with the French or Italians, and consequently the opportunities for the collection of dust are correspondingly diminished. It would have added to the interest of the communication could something have been said as to the methods of food inspection common in Tunis amoog the several peoples, but the inference from the paper is clearly, as Dr. Tostivint and Dr. Remlinger remark, to preach a crusade against the use of the dusting-brush. It is instructive in this connexion to learn that dry cleaning has been prohibited in the military establishments of Tunis. the
dusting-brush,
some
MEDICINE AND MUNICIPALISM IN THE METROPOLIS.
large borough of Islington has set a good example, in constructing its new Council, by electing three members of the medical profession. They are William A. Malcolm, M.B., C.M. Edin. ; John Walker Smyth, L.R.C.P., L.R.C.S. Edin. ; and George Brown, M.R.C.S. Eng., L.S. A., a Direct Representative of the profession on the General Medical Council of England and Wales. We congratulate these gentlemen on the possession of that public spirit which leads them to forego some personal and professional leisure for municipal purposes, and we also congratulate the new corporation of Islington on the
1827
also recorded of epileptic Seven cases are who contracted erysipelas, two of these being patients females (aged 27 years and 25 years respectively) and five being males (aged 55, 46, 42, 37, and 32 years respectively). In addition to these 12 cases two cases subsequently came under notice, making a total of 14 cases. From a study of these 14 cases it appeared that in not one single instance was the pre-existing epilepsy favourably modified for any great length of time. In a few cases the progress of the disease was accelerated by the infectious complication, and in one the measles caused status epilepticus. In those cases in which the epilepsy was favourably modified the temporary improvement was slight and of very short duration. The writers therefore conclude "that instead of the physician urging his patient to run the risk of an infectious disease, with the small chances of such an accident resulting favourably to the existing neurosis, he should urge them to avoid any and all such complications as far as possible."
case).
THE
election of members who in virtue of their liberal education and professional experience may be expected to make valuable contributions to the debates on the many grave social and politico-social questions involved in the municipal government of this important metropolitan district. THE
INFLUENCE OF ACUTE INFECTIOUS PROCESSES UPON EPILEPSY AND OTHER NEUROSES.
Dr. Pierce Clark and Dr. E. A. Sharp, of the Craig Colony for Epileptics, New York, contribute an important paper dealing with this somewhat obscure and little-known subject to the New York Medical Record of Dec. lst. Ever since the time of Hippocrates, who noticed that a pre-existent epilepsy or mental disorder was frequently modified (for better or for worse) by an acute traumatic or febrile process, many writers have stated that infectious process in the course of a chronic mental or nervous disease is advantageous and should be encouraged to the point of establishing such an element for curative purposes. This has especially been advocated of late years by’’ some French and Italian writers, who have urged the establishment of malaria in epileptics and, when the epilepsy is recovered from, the cure of the malaria by the exhibition of quinine." Dr. Clark and Dr. Sharp point out that now and then a report is recorded of an improvement of a neurosis under some accidental complication. Cases of the opposite kind, an
where
improvement fails to occur, are of course not published, and thus it has come to be believed by many "that insanity and the degenerative neuroses, such as epilepsy and idiocy, may be permanently cured by contracting erysipelas, pneumonia, or chronic malaria." With the idea of gaining more definite and precise information careful observations were made on patients who had suffered from epilepsy for variable periods of time and with varying degrees of severity, and who, during the course of the epilepsy contracted measles and erysipelas. Five cases are recorded where the complication was measles, which occurred in girls of the ages of six years (three cases), 14 years (one case), and 17 years (one
THE INDIAN PASTEUR INSTITUTE. THE Pasteur Institute at Kasauli has not so far been more favoured by fortune than was the rise of the sister establishment in this country. Notwithstanding a record of unexceptional success in the treatment of hydrophobia appeals for funds have not met with that encouragement which they deserve. Native opinion, we regret to learn, is still opposed to the institute. Not only so, but memorials have been submitted to the Government of India pro’esting against any grants of State aid on grounds which can only by a falsehood be described as humanitarian. Everyone who is conversant with tt e history of modern science will admit that without the infliction of some degree of suffering upon the lower animals a very large portion of the relief now afforded by medical treatment would have been impossible. Yet the Indian objector, like his British fellow-fanatic, is blind to the logic of this patent fact. His position, moreover, is in the present connexion more obviously untenable because at Kasauli the inoculations are performed under chloroform and the animals, as far as can be observed, suffer no pain. Bishop Welldon, preaching recently in Calcutta, referred to this subject and was able to assert from personal observation that the whole process is carried out with the most scrupulous humanity. His testimony and that of others equally well informed will, we trust, remove any misunderstanding, at all events on the part of the educated inhabitants of India, respecting the conduct of an institution the purpose of which is only and purely merciful, and which at any time may be called upon to render to themselves or to their families indispensable service. We feel certain that these efforts of the institute and of the Indian Government to combat such a scourge as hydrophobia must be regarded by many of them already with unqualified approval.
THE
LATE SIR JOHN CONROY AND RADCLIFFE INFIRMARY.
By the death of Sir John
THE
Conroy the Radcliffe Infirmary
at Oxford loses its late treasurer and at the same time a friend whose ptace it will be almost impossible to fill. He entered upon his office at a time of very great difficulty in the affairs of the infirmary and threw himself heart and soul into the technical work of the institution. Not only this, but in addition he set himself to the task of making its administration pleasant to all concerned and his natural kindliness and tact made his term of officea time when everything went smoothly and when all the best interests of the infirmary were conserved. His scientific knowledge and his knowledge of practical laboratory work were constantly of the greatest service to the hospital, not only in its work but also in enablir g him to appreciate the practical necessities of the staff, especially as
dusting-brush,
some
MEDICINE AND MUNICIPALISM IN THE METROPOLIS.
large borough of Islington has set a good example, in constructing its new Council, by electing three members of the medical profession. They are William A. Malcolm, M.B., C.M. Edin. ; John Walker Smyth, L.R.C.P., L.R.C.S. Edin. ; and George Brown, M.R.C.S. Eng., L.S. A., a Direct Representative of the profession on the General Medical Council of England and Wales. We congratulate these gentlemen on the possession of that public spirit which leads them to forego some personal and professional leisure for municipal purposes, and we also congratulate the new corporation of Islington on the
1827
also recorded of epileptic Seven cases are who contracted erysipelas, two of these being patients females (aged 27 years and 25 years respectively) and five being males (aged 55, 46, 42, 37, and 32 years respectively). In addition to these 12 cases two cases subsequently came under notice, making a total of 14 cases. From a study of these 14 cases it appeared that in not one single instance was the pre-existing epilepsy favourably modified for any great length of time. In a few cases the progress of the disease was accelerated by the infectious complication, and in one the measles caused status epilepticus. In those cases in which the epilepsy was favourably modified the temporary improvement was slight and of very short duration. The writers therefore conclude "that instead of the physician urging his patient to run the risk of an infectious disease, with the small chances of such an accident resulting favourably to the existing neurosis, he should urge them to avoid any and all such complications as far as possible."
case).
THE
election of members who in virtue of their liberal education and professional experience may be expected to make valuable contributions to the debates on the many grave social and politico-social questions involved in the municipal government of this important metropolitan district. THE
INFLUENCE OF ACUTE INFECTIOUS PROCESSES UPON EPILEPSY AND OTHER NEUROSES.
Dr. Pierce Clark and Dr. E. A. Sharp, of the Craig Colony for Epileptics, New York, contribute an important paper dealing with this somewhat obscure and little-known subject to the New York Medical Record of Dec. lst. Ever since the time of Hippocrates, who noticed that a pre-existent epilepsy or mental disorder was frequently modified (for better or for worse) by an acute traumatic or febrile process, many writers have stated that infectious process in the course of a chronic mental or nervous disease is advantageous and should be encouraged to the point of establishing such an element for curative purposes. This has especially been advocated of late years by’’ some French and Italian writers, who have urged the establishment of malaria in epileptics and, when the epilepsy is recovered from, the cure of the malaria by the exhibition of quinine." Dr. Clark and Dr. Sharp point out that now and then a report is recorded of an improvement of a neurosis under some accidental complication. Cases of the opposite kind, an
where
improvement fails to occur, are of course not published, and thus it has come to be believed by many "that insanity and the degenerative neuroses, such as epilepsy and idiocy, may be permanently cured by contracting erysipelas, pneumonia, or chronic malaria." With the idea of gaining more definite and precise information careful observations were made on patients who had suffered from epilepsy for variable periods of time and with varying degrees of severity, and who, during the course of the epilepsy contracted measles and erysipelas. Five cases are recorded where the complication was measles, which occurred in girls of the ages of six years (three cases), 14 years (one case), and 17 years (one
THE INDIAN PASTEUR INSTITUTE. THE Pasteur Institute at Kasauli has not so far been more favoured by fortune than was the rise of the sister establishment in this country. Notwithstanding a record of unexceptional success in the treatment of hydrophobia appeals for funds have not met with that encouragement which they deserve. Native opinion, we regret to learn, is still opposed to the institute. Not only so, but memorials have been submitted to the Government of India pro’esting against any grants of State aid on grounds which can only by a falsehood be described as humanitarian. Everyone who is conversant with tt e history of modern science will admit that without the infliction of some degree of suffering upon the lower animals a very large portion of the relief now afforded by medical treatment would have been impossible. Yet the Indian objector, like his British fellow-fanatic, is blind to the logic of this patent fact. His position, moreover, is in the present connexion more obviously untenable because at Kasauli the inoculations are performed under chloroform and the animals, as far as can be observed, suffer no pain. Bishop Welldon, preaching recently in Calcutta, referred to this subject and was able to assert from personal observation that the whole process is carried out with the most scrupulous humanity. His testimony and that of others equally well informed will, we trust, remove any misunderstanding, at all events on the part of the educated inhabitants of India, respecting the conduct of an institution the purpose of which is only and purely merciful, and which at any time may be called upon to render to themselves or to their families indispensable service. We feel certain that these efforts of the institute and of the Indian Government to combat such a scourge as hydrophobia must be regarded by many of them already with unqualified approval.
THE
LATE SIR JOHN CONROY AND RADCLIFFE INFIRMARY.
By the death of Sir John
THE
Conroy the Radcliffe Infirmary
at Oxford loses its late treasurer and at the same time a friend whose ptace it will be almost impossible to fill. He entered upon his office at a time of very great difficulty in the affairs of the infirmary and threw himself heart and soul into the technical work of the institution. Not only this, but in addition he set himself to the task of making its administration pleasant to all concerned and his natural kindliness and tact made his term of officea time when everything went smoothly and when all the best interests of the infirmary were conserved. His scientific knowledge and his knowledge of practical laboratory work were constantly of the greatest service to the hospital, not only in its work but also in enablir g him to appreciate the practical necessities of the staff, especially as